1st Advantage MortgageThe median Madison County household earns $56,798, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Madison County, AR: the basics
- How much Madison County households make
- Renting and owning in Madison County
- Jobs and commutes in Madison County
- Madison County towns compared
- Madison County next to its neighbors
- Room for a loan payment in Madison County
- People and households in Madison County
- Local borrowing considerations for Madison County
- Arkansas rules that apply in Madison County
- Four steps for Madison County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Madison County, AR: the basics
With an estimated 17,329 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Madison County ranks 40th of 75 in Arkansas for population. Spread over 834 square miles, that works out to roughly 20.8 residents per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (3 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Huntsville, with about 3,202 residents, or 18% of the county.
How much Madison County households make
Half of Madison County households take in less than $56,798 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Arkansas median of $60,773.
| Household income | Madison County | vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.4% | +0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.7% | +4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.1% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -1.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Madison County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.1% of Madison County residents in poverty, against 16.0% across Arkansas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.441 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Madison County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Madison County
A typical Madison County rental runs $729 a month including utilities, which is 23% below Arkansas. By the Census definition, 38% of Madison County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $178,100, or 3.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 80%. The median year built is 1990.
| Housing | Madison County | Arkansas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $729/mo | $947/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $178,100 | $188,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 66% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.7% | 11.0% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Jobs and commutes in Madison County
Education and health care employs 18% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Madison County averages 5.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 79% drive to work alone and 30% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Madison County | Compared with Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.5% | -6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 11.7% | +4.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Madison County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Madison County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 3,736 people, so roughly 78% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | city | 3,202 | $57,813 | $620 | 6 mi |
| Wesley | CDP | 233 | $161,534 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Hindsville | town | 146 | $93,299 | n/a | 12 mi |
| St. Paul | town | 136 | $34,792 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Kingston | CDP | 19 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Madison County next to its neighbors
Carroll County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Benton County, is 37 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Madison County; Benton County is highest at $93,506 and Johnson County lowest at $45,995.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | - | $56,798 | $729/mo | 80% |
| Carroll County, AR | 25 mi | $54,230 | $856/mo | 77% |
| Washington County, AR | 28 mi | $70,639 | $1,071/mo | 56% |
| Newton County, AR | 29 mi | $48,986 | $617/mo | 77% |
| Johnson County, AR | 34 mi | $45,995 | $728/mo | 74% |
| Franklin County, AR | 36 mi | $55,886 | $719/mo | 78% |
| Benton County, AR | 37 mi | $93,506 | $1,277/mo | 67% |
Room for a loan payment in Madison County
Here is the Madison County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,733 a month: gross income for a household at the Madison County median
- Rent at the median, $729, takes 15% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $928 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,401 a month
If your rent is above $729, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
People and households in Madison County
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Madison County | Arkansas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.9% | 25.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.7% | 11.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 16.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Madison County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.6% |
| 60+ min | 17.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Madison County
What the Madison County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 13% of Madison County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 30% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Arkansas rules that apply in Madison County
Madison County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Arkansas State Bank Department. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Arkansas: Arkansas personal loans.
Four steps for Madison County borrowers
Quick steps for Madison County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Madison County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Arkansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Arkansas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Madison County earn?
The median is $56,798; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Madison County?
$729 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Should Madison County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Madison County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Huntsville?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Madison County, such as Wesley, Hindsville, St. Paul.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Madison County or elsewhere in Arkansas, the same rules apply.